 CHAPTER 30 THE LEGENDS AND MISTS OF HAWAII Lohiu, the Lover of a Goddess, the Legend of Hiaka, the Immortal, and the Prince of Kauai. 1. Of all the legends of the adventures with mortals of Paley, the dreadful Goddess of the Volcanoes, the most weird and dramatic is the one relating to her love for Lohiu, a prince of the island of Kauai, whose reign was probably contemporaneous with that of Kalei o Kaloa of Hawaii during the early part of the sixteenth century. The story is not only a characteristic relic of the recklessly imaginative and highly colored Males of the early poets, but an instructive reflex as well of the superstitious controlling the popular mine of the Hawaiian group at that period, when the forest abounded in mischievous gnomes and fairies, when the streams were guarded by nymphs and monsters, and when the very air was peopled with the spirits of the departed, but a thin veil then divided the living from the dead, the natural from the supernatural, and mortals were made the sport of the elements and the playthings of the gods. As the Maley relates, Paley and her brothers and sisters, to amuse themselves with a taste of mortal enjoyments, one day emerged from their fiery chambers in the crater of Kaleiwea, and went down to the coast of Puna, to bathe, surf-ride, sport in the sands, and gather edible seaweed, swid, limpets, and other delicacies washed by the waves. They assumed human forms for the occasion, and therefore had human appetites. While the others were amusing themselves in various ways, eating, laughing, and sporting in the waves, in the manner of mortals, Paley, in the guise of an old woman, sought repose and sleep in the shade of a hella tree. Her favorite sister was Hiaka, her full name being Hiaka Ika Pale O'Paley. She was younger than Paley, and frequently occupied the same brothel with her under the burning lake of Kaleiwea. Hiaka accompanied her sovereign sister to the shade of the hella tree, and sitting devotedly beside her, kept her cool with a kahili. Her eyelids growing heavy, Paley instructed Hiaka to allow her, under no circumstances, to be disturbed, no matter how long she might sleep, whether for hours or days, and then closed her eyes in slumber. Scarcely had the ears of the sleeper been closed by the fingers of silence, before she heard the sound of a drum, distant but distinct and regular in its beat, as if to the impulse of music, before leaving the crater she had heard the same sound, but paid little attention to it. Now, however, when hearing it in her dreams, her curiosity was aroused, and assuming her spiritual form, she resolved to follow it. Leaving her slumbering earthly body under the eye and care of her sister, Paley mounted the air and proceeded in the direction whence the sound seemed to come. From place to place she followed it over the island of Hawaii, but it was always before her, and she could not overtake it. At Yupolu it came to her from over the sea, and she followed it to the island of Maui. It was still beyond, and she sped to Molokai, still beyond, and she flew to Oahu, still beyond, and she crossed the channel and listened on the shores of Kauai, where it was more distinct than she had heard it before. Now encouraged, she continued the pursuit, until she stood upon the mountain peak of Hapu, when she discovered at last that the sound came from the beach at Keina. Proceeding thither and hovering over the place unseen, she observed that the sound she had so long been following was that of a Palu hula, or hula drum, beaten by Lohau, the young and comely prince of Kauai, who was noted not only for the splendor of his hula entertainments, participated in by the most beautiful women of the island, but for his personal graces as a dancer and musician. The favorite deity of Lohau was Lakan Kain, the god of the hula and similar sports, who in a spirit of mischief had conveyed the sound of the drum to the ears of Pele. The beach was throng with dancers, musicians, and spectators, all enjoying themselves under the shade of the hula and coconut trees, with the prince as master of ceremonies and the center of attraction. Assuming the form of a beautiful woman, Pele suddenly appeared before the fest of throng. Attaching to her person every immanual charm of form and feature, her presence was immediately noted, and, away being open for her to the prince, he received her most graciously, invited her to a seat near him, where she could best witness the entertainment. Glancing at the beautiful stranger from time to time, in the midst of his performances, Lohau, at length, became so fascinated that he failed to follow the music, when he yielded the instrument to another, and seated himself beside the enchantress. In answer to his inquiry, she informed the prince that she was a stranger in Kauai, and had come from the direction of the rising sun. Gazing into her face with a devouring passion, Lohau smilingly said, You are most welcome, but I cannot rejoice that you came. And why, since I do not come as your enemy, inquired Pele, archly, because until now, return the prince, my thought had been that there were beautiful women in Kauai, but in looking at yours I find their faces are plain indeed. I see you know how to speak flattering words to women, said Pele, casting a languishing look upon the prince. Not better than I know how to love them, replied Lohiu. With ardour, will you be convinced? Lohau is in his own kingdom, and has but to command, answered Pele, with a play of modesty which completed the enthrallment of the prince. Thus Pele became the wife of Lohiu. He knew nothing of her or her family, and cared not to inquire. He saw only that she was beautiful above all women, and for a few days they lived so happily together that life seemed to be a dream to him. And Pele loved the prince scarcely less than he loved her, but the time had come for her to return to Kauai, and pledging him to remain true to her, she left him with protestations of affection and the promise of a speedy return, and on the wings of the wind was wafed back to the shores of Puna, where she had left her sister waiting and watching in the shade of the Hala. Lohiu was inconsolable. Every day he thought she would be with him the next, until more than a month passed, when he refused food and died of grief at her absence. The strange death of the prince occasioned much comment, for he was naturally strong and without disease. Some said he had been preyed to death by his enemies and others that he had been poisoned, but an old Kahlua, who had seen Pele at Kainah and noted her actions, advised against further inquiry concerning the cause of Lohiu's death, offering as a reason the opinion that the strangely beautiful and unknown woman he had taken as a wife was an immortal, who had become attached to her earthly husband and called his spirit to her. The prince was greatly beloved by his people, and his body carefully wrapped in many folds of kappa, was kept in state for some time in the royal mansion, it was guarded by the high chiefs of the kingdom, and every night funeral hymns were chanted around it, and Maley's recited of the deeds of the dead, sovereign, and his ancestors. Thus lying in state we will leave the remains of Lohiu and follow Pele back to Hawaii. 2. During all the time the spirit of Pele was absent, the family kept watch over the body left by her under the Hala tree, not daring to disturb it, and were overjoyed when it was at last reanimated for the fires of the crater of Kilauea had nearly died out from neglect. Pele rose to her feet in the form of the old woman, she had left asleep under the care of Hiakka, and without at the time mentioning her adventures in Kauai, or the cause of her protracted slumber, returned with awe but one of the family to Kilauea, and with a breath renewed the dying fires of the crater, Hiakka asked and received the permission of Pele to remain for a few days at the beach with her much-loved friend Ho'opo, a young woman of Puna, who had been left an orphan by an eruption from Kilauea, in which both of her parents had perished. On leaving Kauai it is probable that Pele, notwithstanding her feverant words to the contrary, never expected or particularly desired to see Lohiu again, but he had so endeared himself to her during a brief union that she did not find it easy to forget him, and after struggling with the feeling for some time she resolved to send for him, but to whom should she entrust the important mission? One after another she applied to her sisters at the crater, but the way was beset with evil spirits. And they refused to go. In this dilemma Pele sent her favorite brother, Lono Kikannoli, to bring Hiakka from the beach, well-knowing that she would not refuse to undertake the journey, however hazardous. Hiakka accepted the mission, with the understanding that her absence, her friend Houpiu, should be capped under the eye and guardianship of Pele. Arrangements were made for the immediate departure of Hiakka. Pele conferred upon her some of her own powers with an injunction to use them discreetly, and for a companion and servant gave her Pau Pale, a woman of approved sagacity and prudence, with the farewell from her relatives, and many an admonition from Pele, Hiakka took her departure for Kauai, accompanied by Pau Pale. They traveled as mortals, and were therefore subject to the fatigues and perils of humanity. Proceeding through the forest toward the coast of Hilo, they encountered an old woman, who accosted them politely and expressed a desire to follow them. Her name was Omeo, and she was leading a hog to the volcano as a sacrifice to Pele. No objection being made, she hurried to the crater with her offering, and returned and followed Hiakka and her companion. Not long after, their journey was impeded by a demon of hyacinth hideous proportions, who threw himself across their path in a narrow defile and attempted to destroy them. Pele knew their danger, however, and ordered her brothers to protect them with a rain of fire and thunder, which drove the monster to his den and the hills and enabled them to escape. After a little time they were joined by another woman, whose name was Papu. She desired to accompany them, and proceeded a short distance on the way, when they were confronted by a ferocious-looking man, who was either insane or under the influence of evil spirits. He lacked either the power or the disposition to molest the party. However, and they passed on unharmed, but Papu screamed with fright and hastily returned to her home, where she was turned into a stone as punishment for her cowardice. Coming to a small stream crossed by their path, they found the waters dammed by a huge moo, or lizard, lying in the bed. He was more than a hundred paces in length, and his eyes were of the size of great calabashes. He glared at the party viciously, and opened his mouth as if to devour them, but Hayaka tossed into it a stone which became red-hot when it touched his throat, and, with a roar of pain which made the leaves of the trees tremble, he disappeared down the stream. After many other adventures with monsters and evil spirits, which Hayaka was able to control and sometimes punish, the party reached the coast at a place called Honipu, where they found a number of men and women engaged in the sport of surf-riding. As they were about to start for another trial, in a spirit of mischief Hayaka turned their surfboards into stone, and they fled in terror from the beach, fearing that some sea-god was preparing to devour them. Observing a fisherman drawing in his line, Hayaka caused to be fastened to the submerged hook, a human head. Raising it to the surface, the man steered at it for a moment with horror, then dropped the line and paddled swiftly away to the great amusement of Hayaka and her companions. Embarking in a canoe with two men as assistants, the travelers sailed for the island of Maui, which they reached without delay or incident. Lending at Kaupo, they traveled overland toward Honolua, near which place, in approaching the palace of the king, whose name was Olipau and who was lying within at that point of death, Hayaka observed a human spirit hovering around the outer enclosure. Knowing that it was the half-reed soul or spirit of the Maui, she seized and tied it up in the corner of her pal. Passing on with the soul of the king in her keeping, she met the queen, Wai Himano, and told her that her husband had just died, but the queen denied that Olipau was dead, for she was a worshipper of two powerful lizard divinities, and the gods had assured her that morning that her husband would recover. Saying no more, Hayaka and her companions went on their way, and the queen, returning to the palace, found her husband insensible and apparently insensible. Trying in vain to restore him, she hastily consulted a Kaola, telling him what the strange woman had said to her, the seer by the description recognized at once the sister of Pele, who had come to heal the king, but had been deterred in her errand of mercy by the queen's obstinate assurances of his recovery. He therefore advised that she be followed by a messenger, with a spotless pig, to be placed as an offering in the path before her, when she per chance might return and restore the king to life. But Hayaka dropped behind her companions and assumed the form of an old woman, and as the messenger did not recognize her, he returned with the report that the object of his search could not be found. Did you meet no one, inquired the seer? No one answering the description, replied the messenger. I saw only an old woman, so infirm as to be scarcely able to walk. Fool! exclaimed the Kaola. That old woman was Hayaka in disguise. He sent back to her, if you would save the life of your king. The messenger again started in pursuit of Hayaka, but the pig was obstinate and troublesome, and his progress was slow. Seizing the struggling animal in his arms, the messenger ran until he came with insight of the woman, who were again traveling together, when Hayaka struck the fold of her pal against a rock, and that instant the king expired. Reaching the coast and embarking with a fisherman, Hayaka and her companions sailed for Oahu. Landing at Makapu, they journeyed overland to Kaoh, now Honolulu, and from Heina made sail for Kauai. Arriving at Keina, Hayaka saw the spirit hand of Lohayu, beckoning to her from the mouth of a cave, among the cliffs, turning to her companion, she said, We have failed. The lover of Pele is dead. I see his spirit beckoning from the Pali. There it is being held, and hidden by the lizard woman, Kil'ioa and Kalomanu. Instructing her companions to proceed to Poa, where the body of Lohayu was lying in state, Hayaka started at once for the Pali, for the purpose of giving battle to the female demons, and rescuing the spirit of the dead prince. Ascending the cliff and entering the cave, Hayaka waved her pal, and with angry hisses the demons disappeared. Search was made, and the spirit of Lohayu was found at last in a niche in the rocks, where it had been placed by a moonbeam. Taking it tenderly in her hand, she enclosed it in a fold of her pal, and in and in visible form floated down with it to Poaio. Waiting until after nightfall, Hayaka entered the chamber of death unseen, and restored the spirit to the body of Lohayu. Recovering his life and consciousness, the prince looked around with amazement. The guards were frightened when he raised his head, and would have fled in alarm had they not been prevented by Hayaka, who at that instant appeared before them in mortal form. Holding up her hand, as if to command obedience, she said, fear nothing, say nothing of this to any one living, and do nothing except as you may be ordered. The prince has returned to life, and may recover if properly cared for. His body is weak and wasted. Let him be secretly and at once removed to the seashore. The night is dark, and it may be done without observation. No doubting that these instructions were from the gods, the guards obeyed them with so much prudence and a clarity that Lohayu was soon comfortably resting in a hut by the seashore, with Hinka and her companions ministering to his wants. The return of the prince to health and strength was rapid, and in a few days he reappeared among his friends to their amazement and great joy. In answer to their inquiries he informed them that he owed to the gods his restoration to life. This did not entirely satisfy them, but no further explanation was offered. After celebrating his recovery with feasts and sacrifices to the gods, Lohayu announced to the chiefs of his kingdom that he was about to visit his wife, whose home was on Hawaii, and that he should leave the government of the island in the hands of his friend, the high chief Paoa, to whom he enjoyed the felty and respect of all during his absence. In a magnificent double canoe bearing the royal standard and equipped as become the kalua of an alimah, Lohayu set sail for Hawaii, accompanied by Hiaka and her companions, and taking with him his high priest, chief navigator, and the customary staff of personal attendance. Touching Oahu, Hiaka ascended the kalua mountains, and saw that her beautiful lihua and hala grows near the beach of Puna on the distant island of Hawaii, had been destroyed by a lava flow. Impatient at the long absence of Hiaka, and jealous as well, Paley had in a fit of rage destroyed the beautiful seashore retreats of her faithful sister. She scarcely doubted that Hiaka had dared to love Lohayu, and in her chambers of fire shaved for her return. After bewailing her loss, Hiaka rejoined her companions, and Lohayu embarked for Hawaii. Landing at Kohala, the prince ordered his attendants to remain there until his return, and started overland for Kilauea with Hiaka and her two female companions. Before reaching the volcano, Hiaka learned something of the jealous rage of Paley, and finally saw from a distant eminence her dear friend Hopua undergoing the cruel tortures of volcanic fire near the beach of Puna, which ended in her being turned into stone. Approaching the crater with apprehensions of further displays of Paley's fury, Hiaka sent Omiyo and Pao Paley in advance to announce to the goddess her return with Lohayu. In her wrath she ordered both of the women to be slain at once, and resolved to treat her lover in the same manner. Aware of this heartless resolution and unable to avert the execution of it, on their arrival at the verge of the crater, Hiaka threw her arms around the neck of the prince, whom she had learned to love without wrong to her sister, and telling him of his impending fate, bade him a tender farewell. This scene was witnessed by Paley. In rage beyond measure she caused a gulf of molten lava to be opened between Hiaka and the prince, and then ordered the instant destruction of Lohayu by fire. While the sisters of Paley were ascending the walls of the crater to execute her orders, Lohayu chanted a song to the goddess, avowing his innocence and pleading for mercy, but her rage was rekindled at the sound of his voice, and she turned a deaf ear to his entreaties. Approaching Lohayu and pitting him, the sisters merely touched the palms of his hands, turned them into lava, and then retired. Observing this, Paley ordered them to return at once, under the penalty of her displeasure, and consumed the body of her lover. Lohayu again appealed to Paley, so piteously that the trees around him wept with grief, but her only answer was an impatient signal to her sisters to resume their work of destruction. In his despair he turned to Hiaka and implored her intercession, but she answered in agony that she could do nothing. The sisters returned to Lohayu and reluctantly touched his feet, which became stone, then his knees, then his thighs, then his breast. By the power conferred upon her by Paley, and which she had not yet deprived, Hiaka rendered the body of the prince insensible to pain, and it was therefore without suffering that he felt his joints hardening into stone, under the touch of his sympathizing executioners. As the remainder of his body was about to be turned into lava, Hiaka said to the prince, Listen, when you die go to the leeward and I will find you. The next moment Lohayu was a lifeless pillar of stone, observing that the cruel work of her sister had been accomplished, and that all that remained of the shapely form of Lohayu was a black mess of lava, Hiaka caused the earth to be open at her feet, and started downward at once for the misty realm of Milu to overtake the soul of Lohayu, and with the consent of the god of death restore it to his body, passing downward through each of the five spheres dividing the surface of the earth from the regions of Poe where Milu sits in state in the gloomy grooves of death. Hiaka finally stood in the presence of the August sovereign of the world of spirits. The king of death welcomed her to his dominions, and in response to her inquiry it formed her that the soul of Lohayu had not yet reached the abode of spirits. Having no desire to return to earth, Hiaka accepted the invitation of Milu, and watching and waiting for the soul of Lohayu remained for a time in the land of spirits. The attendants of Lohayu remained in Kohala until they learned of his feet at the hands of Pele when they returned to Kauai in the royal Kahlua, and horrified the friends of the prince by relating to them the story of his death. In rage and desperate, Paoa, the faithful and sturdy chief to whom Lohayu had confided the government of his kingdom started at once for Hawaii with the small party of retainers determined even at the sacrifice of his life to denounce the powers that had slain his royal friend. Landing on the coast of Puna he ascended the crater of Kahlua, and standing upon the break of the seething lake of fire denounced the cruelty of Pele and defied her power. He contemptuously threw to her offerings unfit for sacrifice, and stigmatized all the volcanic deities as evil spirits who had been driven with Kahlua from the presence of Kain and the society of the gods. Paoa expected to be destroyed at once, and recklessly courted at a weighted death. The brothers and sisters of Pele with their several agencies of destruction were momentarily expecting an order from the goddess to consume the audacious mortal in his tracks. Never before had such words of reproach and defiance been uttered by human tongue, and they could not doubt that swift vengeance would be hurled upon the offender. But Pele refused to harm the desperate champion of Lohayu. For circumstances had convinced her of the innocence of Hyaka and the fidelity of the prince. Therefore, instead of punishing the brave Paoa, Pele and her relatives received him with friendship, gently chiding him for his words of insult and defiance, and disarmed his anger by forgiving the offence. Satisfied of the great wrong she had done her faithful sister, and longing for her presence again in the chambers of the crater, Pele restored Paoa Pali and Aumio to life, and endowing the latter with supernatural powers sent her down to the regions of the dead to induce Hyaka to return to earth. Descending through the opening made by Hyaka, Aumio was stopped at the intervening spheres owing to the aspects of mortality which she unconsciously retained, and encountered many difficulties in reaching the kingdom of Melu. Arriving there and making known the object of her visit, Aumio was neither assisted nor encouraged in her search for Hyaka. Melu was not anxious to part with his distinguished guest, and attempted to deceive Aumio by intimidating that Hyaka had returned to earth, and was then on a visit to some of the relatives of her family in Kahiki. Aumio was about to return disappointed to earth when she discovered Hyaka as she was listlessly emerging from a thick grove of trees where she had spent the most of her time since her arrival there in quest of the soul of Lohayu. Their greeting was most friendly, and when Aumio informed her of what had occurred at the volcano since her departure, she consented to leave the land of death, and rejoin her relatives at the crater. The brothers and sisters of Hyaka were overjoyed at her return, and pale welcomed her with assurances of restored affection. Paola was still there. He was at once recognized by Hyaka, and the next day she descended from Kilauea and embarked with him for Kauai in search of the soul of Lohayu. The canoe of Paola had scarcely left the shores of Puda before a strange craft swept in from the ocean, and was beached at the spot from which Hyaka and her companion had embarked less than half a day before. It was a huge kauri shell, dazzling in the brillancy of its colors and capable of indefinite expansion. Its mass were of ivory, and its sails were mass of the whiteness of milk. Both seemed to be mere ornaments, however, since the shell moved quite as swiftly through the water with a wind as within it. The sole occupant of the little vessel was the god Kene mi Lohai. He was a relative of the Pele family, and came from Kahiki on a visit to the volcano deities of Hawaii, remaining two or three days with Pele, and learning all that had happened to the family since they left Kahiki, the god started for Kauai to extend a greeting to Hyaka. Proceeding in a direct route, went about midway between the two islands, the god caught the soul of Lohayu, which had misunderstood the final directions of Hyaka and was on its way to Kauai. Not having gone to the land of spirits, it had been searching everywhere for Hyaka, and had at last taken flight for Kauai when it was intercepted by Kene mi Lohai. The god returned to the crater with the captured spirit, and finding the pillar of stone into which Lohayu had been turned, restored the prince to life. As he recovered his consciousness and opened his eyes, he recognized Pele standing before him. Apprehensive of further persecution, he was about to appeal to her again from mercy, when she said, in a tone as tender as that in which she had first replied to his welcome on the beach at Kahina, fear me no longer, I have been unjust to you as well as to Hyaka. After what I have done, I cannot expect your love. Find Hyaka and give it to her. She loves you, and knows how to be kind to a mortal. Lohayu would have thanked the goddess, but when he looked again she was gone, and in her place stood Kene mi Lohai, who told him to take the shell vessel he would find at the beach below, and preside to Kauai, where he would probably meet Hyaka and his friend Pao. Lohayu hesitated, for there was something in the appearance of Kene mi Lohai that inspired a feeling of awe. Go and fear nothing, said the god, who knew the thoughts of the prince. The shell was not made in the sea or by human hands, but it will bear you safely on your journey, no matter how rough the waves are great it's burdened. The coast of Puna is a day's journey in length, said Lohayu. Where and how will I be able to find the shell? He said to the shore at Kihau, returned the god, and you will see me there. Arriving at the beach designated, the prince was surprised to find Kene mi Lohai already there, but he found something more to excite his wonder, when the god took from a crevice in the rocks, where it had been secreted a shell no larger than the palm of his hand, and passed it to him with the announcement that it was the barge in which he was to sail for Kauai. Lohayu examined the little toy with something of a feeling of amusement, but more of perplexity and was about to return it to his strange companion when the latter instructed him to place the shell in the edge of the waters. The prince obeyed and instantly found before him the beautiful craft in which the god had made his journey from Kahiki. The power being conferred upon him by the god to contract or extend the proportions of the shell at his will, Lohayu entered the enchanted vessel of pink and pearl, and directing its course by simply pointing his finger was swiftly bored out into the ocean. Rounding the southern cape of Hawaii, Lohayu thought of proceeding directly to Kauai, but he pointed too far to the northward, and the next morning cited Oahu. Passing the headland of Lohayu, he turned and entered the harbor of Hau. Lending, he contracted to the dimensions of Alipet, and secreted in a niche in the rocks his obedient barge, and then proceeded to the village where he learned to his great joy Hayaka and Paoa were tarry on a visit. How was at that time the scene of great merriment and feasting? It had become the temporary residence of the Ali Nui and Hai chiefs. Kahudas, adventurers and noted surf riders and Hula performers had congregated there from all parts of the island, ascertaining that an entertainment of great magnificence was to be given that evening by a distinguished chieftess in honor of Hayaka and her companion, Lohayu resolved to be present. Had he made himself known, he would have been entitled to the consideration of the highest, would have been indeed the guest of the Ali Nui, with the right of entrance anywhere, but fancy prompted him to hide his rake and appear in disguise among the revelers. Early in the evening the grounds of the chieftess were lighted with hundreds of torches, and under a broad pavilion festued and scented with fragrant vines and flowers, the favored guests in wreath and crown with leaf and blossom partook without stint of such delicacies as the land and sea produced. After the feast song and music filled the air, and bands of galey-deck dancers kept step among the flaring torches. While around the doors of the mansion white-bearded bards chanted wild legends of the past and sang the mele yotas of the hostess and her distinguished guests. In the midst of this inspiring reverie, the guests divided into groups as their several tastes suggested, some strolled out among the dancers, others listened to the stories of the bards, and one party, including Hayaka, Paoa, and the hostess, entered the mansion to engage in the game of kilu. It was a pastime of which singing or chatting was a part, and the chieftice was noted for her proficiency in the popular amusement. Lohaio entered the crowds at the close of the feast and stood watching the festivities when the party of kilu players retired to the mansion. He had turned inward the feathers of his mantle of royal yellow, and with his long hair falling over his face and shoulders was readily mistaken for a kahuna. Quite a number of persons thronged around the kilu players to witness the game, and Lohaio entered the room without hindrance. Approaching the players, he screamed himself behind the kapas of two old chiefs who were so intently regarding the performance that they did not observe him. The game progressed until the kilu fell to Hayaka, and she threw it as she chatted a song of her own composing, in which the name of Lohaio was mentioned with tenderness. The song ceased, and from behind the spectators came the answering voice of the prince. As he sang, he brushed back the hair from his handsome face and turned outward the yellow feathers of his mantle. The throng divided, the singer advanced, and before the players stood Lohaio, the prince of Kauai. He was recognized at once. Hayaka threw herself into his arms, and the faithful power wept with joy. Enformed of the rank of the distinguished visitor, the guests fied with each other in shoy hip honor, and the festivities were renewed and carried far into the night. Learning the next day of the presence near his court of the Sovereign of Kauai, the Alinui would have inter- tained him in a manner befitting the high rank of both, but Lohaio was anxious to return to his people, set sail for Kauai at once in the shell-barge of Kani-mi-Lohai, expanded to adequate dimensions, taking with him Hayaka and Paoa. Although Hayaka soon after returned to Kauai and affected a complete reconciliation with her sister, while Lohaio lived, she spent much of her time in Kauai. Hopo was restored to life, and Omeyo, or Wani-mi-eo, was given an immortal form for what she had done, and became thereafter the mediator between the volcanic deities. End of Chapter 30 Recording by Linda Marie Nielsen Vancouver, B.C. Chapter 31 of the Legends and Miss of Hawaii This is a LibriVox Recording. All LibriVox Recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Linda Marie Nielsen Vancouver, B.C. The Legends and Miss of Hawaii by King David Kalakau Kalavari, Chief of Puna Between Cape Kumahaki, the extreme eastern point of the island of Hawaii, and the great lava flow of 1840, which birthed forth apparently from a long subterranean channel, connecting with the crater Kilauea, and went down to the sea at Nanawale over villages and groves of palms, is a small historic district, which, notwithstanding the repeated volcanic disturbances, with which it has been convulsed in the past, the chasms with which it has been rent, and the smoke and ashes that have shut out the light of the sun and driven its people to the protection of their temples, still possesses many fertile nooks and natural attractions. Within a few miles of each other, not far inland, are a number of extinct craters, but the rains are abundant in Puna, and spring is eternal, and the vegetation grows rank above hidden patches of lava, and is constantly stretching and deepening its mantle of green over the viturous rivers of Kilauea, and the lower and lesser volcanic vents, cleaning to its base, like so many cauterized ulcers. The valleys are green in that part of Puna now, and there the banana and breadfruit grow, and the Ohio and pineapple scent the air, but so has it not always been, for the mango ripens over fields of buried lava, and the palms grow tall from the refilled chasms of dead streams of fire. The depression of Capohou, now sweet with tropical odors, marks the site of a sunken mountain, and where to-day sleep the quiet waters of a lake once boiled a sea of liquid lava in a basin broader, perhaps, than the mighty cauldron of Kilauea. We are now to speak of one of the many eruptions at which the intervals in the past poured their desolating torrents of fire through the district, alternately loved and hated by Peli, the dreadful goddess of the volcanoes. In connection with it, tradition has brought down a tale combining elements of simplicity and grandeur, strikingly characteristic of the mythological legends of Polynesia, legends equalling the Norse in audacity, but lacking the motive in connecting causes of the Greek. They are simply legendary epics, beginning in Caprice, and abruptly ending, in many instances in grandest tumult. They are like chapters torn from a lost volume, patches of disturbed elements and gigantic forms and energies, clandestinely cut from a passing panorama, and placed in the foreground of strange and inharmonious conditions. They embrace gods, reminding us of Thor, monsters more hideous than Polythemus, demigods mighty as the son of Thedas, and kings with strains reaching back to the loins of gods, but in motive and action they were independent of, and not unfrequently hostile to, each other. No celestial synod shaped their course or moved them to effort, and to no authority higher than their individual wills were they usually responsible. Many of them were created with no reference to the necessity of their being or the maintenance of divine respect or authority, and not a few seemed to have been the creations of accident. As an example, the demigod, Maui, may be mentioned, as told by tradition his principal abode was Hawaii, although his facilities for visiting the other islands of the group will be considered ample, when it is stated that he could step from one to another, even from Oahu to Kauai, a distance of 70 miles. When he bathed, and bathing was one of his greatest delights, his feet trod the deepest basins of the ocean, and his hair was moistened with the vapor of the clouds. Neither his creator nor the purpose of his creation is mentioned, but he was blessed with a wife with proportions, it is presumed, somewhat in keeping with his own, and as an evidence of their attachment, it is related that at one time he reached up and seized the sun and held it for some hours motionless in the heavens, to enable his industrious spouse to complete the manufacture of a piece of kapa upon which she was engaged. And Kana was another gigantic being of similar proportions, he too was partial to Hawaii, and could step from island to island, and frequently stood for his amusement, with one foot on Oahu, and the other either on Maui or Kauai, tradition may have these two monsters, but as Kana was wifeless, we are constrained to regard them as distinct, and being without the care of a wife, he was enabled to devote his entire attention to himself, and the inhabitants of the islands crawling at his feet. Hence, when the king of Kahiki, who was the keeper of the sun, shut its light from the Hawaiians for some trivial offense, Kana waited the ocean to the home of the vindictive monarch, and by threats compelled him to restore the light to the Hawaiian group. This done, he waited back and hung his mantle to dry on Mauna Kea, which was then an active volcano. Another demigod of the same name was the King of Molokai, who was the son of Hina, who went with his brother to the rescue of their mother, who had been during their infancy abducted by the son of the King of Molokai. He was endowed by his grandmother, a sorceress from one other southern islands, with the faculty of so elongating and contracting his person, as to be the king of the gods, with his head at all times above the surface. The shadows of these and other monsters are seen far back in the past, but human beings of gigantic proportions, of natural birth and claiming no connection with the gods, are mentioned in Hawaiian folklore as having lived as late as the beginning of the 16th century, thus during the reign of the King of Molokai. The romantic ascent to the throne is the theme of chant and song, and to whom the past and present dynasties of united Hawaii trace their descent, lived the giant Mokalio Leo. He was one of Umi's warriors, and must have been a mighty host in himself. His measure in feet is not recorded, nor is he tall as trees, and once, without wetting his loins, strode out into six fathoms of water and saved the life of his chief. As the traditions relating to Umi are quite elaborate and circumstantial, the existence of Mokalio Leo can well be doubted, however greatly we may feel disposed to curtail his proportions. But in groping among these monsters of the Hawaiian past, we have been led somewhat from the story of the eruption in Puna, to which reference has been made. However, as pertinent to it, and to the goddess whose wrath invoked it, it may be mentioned that many centuries ago a family of gods and goddesses came to Hidi and took possession of the volcanic mountains of that island. The family consisted of five brothers and nine sisters, of which Pele was the principal deity. The others possessed specific powers and functions, such as controlling the fires, smoke, steam, explosions, etc., of the volcanoes under their supervision. Although they frequently dwelt volcanoes, their principal and favorite abode was the crater of Kilauea. Almost without exception they were destructive and merciless. Temples were erected to Pele in every district menaced by volcanic disturbance, and offerings of fruits, animals, and sometimes of human beings were laid upon her altars and thrown into the crater to secure her favor in the legend of the apotheolosis of Pele, a more extended reference is made to the goddess and her family. With this knowledge of the power and disposition of Pele, their reader will be prepared for the story of the exhibition of her wrath in Puna, which will now be related nearly in the language of tradition. The event occurred in Kapa'u. Who, from about 1340 to 1380, was the Ali Nui, or governing chief of Hawaii. The chief of the district of Puna was Kahavari, a young noble distinguished for his strength, courage, and manly accomplishments. How he came to be chief or governor of Puna is not stated. As his father and sister lived in Oahu, he was probably a native of that island, and may have been advanced to his position through military service rendered the Hawaiian king, since it was customary in those days as it was at later periods for young men of martial taste to seek adventure and employment at arms with the kings and chiefs of neighboring islands. The grass of the young chief was near Kapa'u, where his wife lived with their two children. Pa'u Pahu and Kahui and Kuki, no great distance away, dwelt his old mother, then on a visit to her distinguished son. As his taro lands were large and fertile, and he had fish ponds on the sea shore, he entertained with prodigality, and the people of the island were happy to see that there was no chief like him in all Hawaii. It was at the time of the monthly festival of Lono. The day was beautiful. The trade winds were bending the leaves of the palms, and scattering the spray from the breakers chasing each other over the reef. A holua contest had been announced between the stalwart young chiefs, and a large concourse of men, women, and children had assembled at the foot of the hill to witness exciting pastime. They brought with them drums, ohies, yulelees, rattling gourds, and other musical instruments. And while they awaited the coming of the contestants, all frolicked as if they were children. Frolicked as was their way before the white men, they were nearly naked, and that life was too serious a thing to be frittered away in enjoyment. They ate ohias, coconuts, and bananas under the palms, and chewed the pith of sugarcane. They danced, sang, and laughed at the hula and other sports of the children, and grew nervous with enthusiasm when their bards chanted their ears. The game of holua consists in sliding down a sometimes long, but always steep hill, on a narrow sledge from six to twelve feet in length called a papa. The light and polish runners bent upward at the front are bound quite closely together with crossbars for the hands and feet. With a run at the top of the sledge, slightly smoothed and sometimes strewn with rushes, the rider throws himself face downward on the narrow papa and dashes headlong down the hill. As the sledge is no more than six or eight inches in width, with more than as many feet in length, one of the principal difficulties of the descent is in keeping it under the rider. The distance is required to master the subtleties of either. Kahavari was an adept with the papa, and so was ahua. Rare sport was therefore expected, and the people of the neighborhood assembled almost in a body to witness it. Finally appearing at the foot of the hill, Kahavari and his companion were heartily cheered by the good-nature by attendants. The chief smiled upon the assemblage, and as he struck his tall spear into the ground and divested his broad shoulders of the kihay covering them, the wagers of fruit and pigs were three to one that he would reach the bottom first, although ahua was expert with the papa, and but a month before had beaten the champion of cow cattle. Taking their sledges under their arms, the contestants laughingly mounted the hill with firm, strong strides, neither thinking of resting until the top was gained. Stopping for a moment preparatory to the descent, a calmly-looking woman stepped out from behind a clump of undergrowth and bowed before them. Little attention was paid to her until she approached the challenged Kahavari to contest the hula with her instead of ahua. Exchanging a smile of amusement with his companion, the chief scanned the lithe and shapely figure of the woman for a moment, and then exclaimed, more in astonishment than in anger, what, with a woman? And why not with a woman if she is your superior and not the courage? was the calm rejoinder. You are bold woman, returned the chief with something of a frown, what know you of the papa? Enough to reach the bottom of the hill in front of the chief of Puna, was the prompt and defiant answer. Is it so indeed? Then take the papa and we will see, said Kahavari, with an angry look seemed to disturb the woman in the lithe. At a motion from the chief, ahua handed his papa to the woman and the next moment Kahavari with the strange contestant closely behind him was dashing down the hill. On, on they went, around and over rocks at breakneck speed, but for a moment the woman lost her balance and Kahavari reached the end of the course and paces in advance. Music and shouting followed the victory of the chief and scowling upon the exultant multitude the woman pointed to the hill silently challenging the victor to another trial. They mounted the hill without a word and turned for another start. Stop! said the woman while a strange light flashed in her eyes. Your papa is better than mine if you would act fairly. Let us now exchange. Why should I exchange? replied the chief hastily. You are neither my wife nor my sister and I know you not. Come! And presuming the woman was following him Kahavari made a spring and dashed down the hill on his papa. With this the woman stamped her foot and a river of burning lava began to fill the hill and began to pour down into the valley beneath. Reaching the bottom Kahavari rose and looked behind him and to his horror saw a wide and welled torrent of lava rushing down the hillside toward the spot where he was standing and riding on the crest of the foremost wave was the woman now no longer disguised but Paley in the face of Kilauea with thunder at her feet and lightning playing with her flaming tresses. Seizing his spear Kahavari accompanied by Ahuna fled for his life to the small eminence of Pukaia. He looked behind and saw the entire assemblage of spectators engulfed in the sea of fire. With terrible rapidity the valleys began to fill and the only hope of escape was in reaching the ocean for it was manifest that Paley was intent upon his destruction. He fled to his house and passing it without stopping said farewell to his mother wife and children and to his favorite hog Alopua telling them that Paley was in pursuit of him with a river of fire and to save themselves moving to the hills he left them to their fate coming to Achasm he saw Paley pouring down it to cut off his retreat he crossed on his spear pulling his friend over after him at length closely pursued he reached the ocean his brother discovering the danger had just landed from his fishing canoe and gone to look after the safety of his family he peeped into the canoe with his companion and using his spear for a paddle was soon beyond the reach of the pursuing lava enraged at his escape Paley ran some distance into the water and hurled after him huge stones that hissed as they struck the waves until an east wind sprang up and carried him far out to sea he first reached the island of Maui by the way of Lanai found his way to Oahu where he remained to the end of his days all of his relatives in Puna perished with hundreds of others in the neighborhood of Kapuhu but he never ventured back to Puna the grave of his hopes and his people for he believed Paley the unforgiving would visit the place of horror if he did Paley had come down from Kalauea in a pleasant mood to witness the hula contest but Calivari angered her unwittingly and what followed has just been described End of Chapter 31 Recording by Linda Marie Nielsen Vancouver, B.C. Chapter 32 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Linda Marie Nielsen Vancouver, B.C. The Legends and Miss of Hawaii by King David Kalakaua Kalalapuna The Princess of Manoa The Legend of the Valley of the Rainbow Manoa is the most beautiful of all the little valleys leaping abruptly from the mountains back of Honolulu and cooling the streets and byways of the city with their street waters and it is also the most verdant gentle rains fall there more frequently than in the valleys on either side of it and almost every day in the year it is canopied with rainbows sometimes it is called and not inappropriately the valley of rainbows why is it that Manoa is thus blessed with rains thus ornamented with rainbows thus cradled in everlasting green were a reason sought among natural causes it would doubtless be found in a favoring rent or depression in the summit above the valley overlooking the eastern coast of Oahu where the wind and rain are abundant but tradition furnishes another explanation of the exceptionally kind dealings of the elements with Manoa not as satisfactory perhaps as the one suggested but very much more poetic far back in the past as the story relates the projecting spur of above the head of Manoa valley was united in marriage with the neighboring promontory a growth of lehua bushes still crowns the spur in perpetual witness of the union of this marriage of mountains twin children were born a boy named which signified Manoa wind and a girl called which implied Manoa rain at their birth they were adopted by a chief and chieftess whose names were and they were brother and sister and cousins also of the brother took charge of the boy and the sister assumed the girl reared apart from each other and kept in ignorance of their close relationship through the management of their foster parents they were brought together at the proper age and married the fruit of this union was a daughter who was given the name and who became the most beautiful woman on her time thus it was that and rain of Manoa brought to the valley as an inheritance the rainbows and showers for which it has since been distinguished to continue the story of the ancient bards of Oahu or as the name will hereafter be written true to a surprisingly beautiful womanhood a house was built for her in a grove of sandal trees at Kaha'i Mano where she lived with a few devoted servants the house was bowered in vines and two polo lua or taboo staves were kept standing beside the entrance to indicate that they guarded from intrusion the person of high rank her eyes were so bright that their glow penetrated the thatch of her haley and a luminous glimmer played around its openings when bathing a rosette halo surrounded her and a similar light is still visible it is claimed whenever her spirit revisits Kaha'i Mano in infancy Kaha was betrothed by Kaha'i a young chief of Kā'olua whose parents were so sensible of the honor of the proposed union that they always provided her table with poi of their own making and choice of fish from the ponds of Kā'i'uni the acceptance of these favors placed her under obligations to the parents of Kaha'i and kept her in continual remembrance of her betrothal hence she gave no encouragement to the many chiefs of distinction who sought to obtain glimpses of her beauty and annoyed her with proffers of marriage the chief to whom she was betrothed was like herself of something more than human descent and she felt herself already bound to him in secret to be broken the fame of her beauty spread far and near and people came from long distances to clatch glimpses of her from lands adjoining as she walked to and from her bathing pool or strolled in the shelter of the trees surrounding her house among those who many times approached her dwelling but failed to see her were Kaha'i and Kuma'una to infer your chiefs whose eyes were defigured by an unnatural distention of the lower lids in eugenius revenge and envious of those who had fared better they decked themselves with lays of flowers and repairing to the bathing place at Waikiki boasted that the garlands were filled by the beautiful Kaha'i with whom they affected the greatest intimacy among the bathers at the popular resort was Kaha'i although the day fixed for his marriage with Kaha'i was near at hand he had never seen her this being one of the conditions of the brothel the stories of the two miscreants Kaha'u'i at length gave them credence and in a fit of jealous fury he resolved to kill the beautiful enchantress who had thus trifled with his love leaving Waikiki in the morning he reached Kaha'i mano about midday breaking from a pandanus tree a heavy cone of nuts with a short limb attached he presented himself at the house of Kaha'i she had just awoke from a nap and was about to proceed to her bathing pond when she was startled at observing a stranger at her door he did not speak but from frequent descriptions she had length recognized him as Kaha'i and with some embarrassment invited him to enter declining and emitting his identity he requested her to step without she unhesitantly complied his first intention was to kill her at once but her supreme loveliness and ready obedience unnerved him for the time and he proposed that she should first bathe and then accompany him in a tramble through the woods to this she assented and while she was absent Kaha'u'i stood by the door moodly watching the bright light of the pond where she was bathing he was profoundly impressed with her great beauty and would have given half the years of his life to clasp her in his arms unsullied the very thought intensified his jealousy and when his mind reverted to the disgusting objects upon whom he believed she had bestowed her favors he resolved to show her no mercy finishing her bath and rejoining him at the door her beauty was so enrapturing that he was afraid to look at her face lest he might again falter it was therefore with his back turned to her that he declined to partake of food before they departed and motioned her to follow him his actions were so strange that she said to him half in alarm with me have I in any way displeased you speak that I may know my fault why foolish girl what could you have done to displease me replied Kaha'u'i evasively nothing I hope returned Kaha yet your look is cold and almost frightens me it is my mood today perhaps I will give employment to his thoughts you will think better of my looks no doubt when we are of longer acquaintance they kept on together he leading and she following until they reached a large rock in I-hu-lamma when he turned abruptly and seizing the girl by the arm said you are beautiful so beautiful that your face almost drives me mad Kaha's first thought was that he was making sport with her but when she looked up into his face and saw that it was stern and smile-less she replied if you are resolved upon my death why did you not kill me at home so that my bones might be buried by my people if you think me false tell me with whom I may disabuse your mind of the cruel error possessing it your words are as fair as your face but neither will deceive me longer exclaimed Kaha and with a blow on the temple with the cone of hella nuts which he was still carrying he laid her dead at his feet hastily digging a hole beside the rock down the valley toward Waikiki he scarcely left before a large owl a god in that guise who was related to Kaha and had followed her unearthed the body rubbed his head against the bruised temple and restored the girl to life overtaking Kahui Kaha sang behind him a lament at his unkindness turning in amazement the owl flying above her head and recognized the power that had restored her to life again ordering Kaha to follow him they ascended the ridge dividing the valleys of Manoa and New Anu the way was beset with sharp rocks entangled undergrowth and when Kaha reached the summit her tender feet were bleeding and her pow was in tatters seating herself on a stone to regain her breath with tears in her eyes she implored Kahui to tell her wither he was leading her and why he had sought to kill her his only reply was a blow with the halakone which again felled her dead to the earth burying the body as before he resumed his way toward Waikiki praying to the rescue of his beautiful and sinless relative the owl god scratched away the earth above her and restored her once more to life following Kahui she again chanted a song of lament behind him and begged him to be merciful to one who had never wronged him even in thought hearing her voice he turned her across the valley of Nuannu to the ridge of Waulani where he killed and buried her as he had done twice before and the owl god a third time removed the earth from the body and gave it life she again overtook her merciless companion and again pleaded for life and forgiveness for her unknown fault the words of Kahui enraged him and he resolved not to be thwarted in his determination to take her life leading her to the head of Kahui Valley where she was for the fourth time killed buried and resurrected as before he next conducted her across the plains and steep ravines to Pokakia on the Iwa slope in the mountains he hoped the owl god would not follow them so far but looking around he discovered him among the branches of an Ohia tree not far distant as Kahua was worn down with fatigue it required but a slight blow to kill her the fifth time and when it was dealt to the unresisting girl her body the roots of a large Koa tree and there left by Kahui satisfied that it could not be reached by the owl god repairing to the spot after the departure of Kahui the owl put himself to the task of scratching the earth from the body but his claws became entangled with the roots which had been left to embarrass his labours and after twiling for some time and no progress he abandoned the undertaking as hopeless and reluctantly left the unfortunate girl to her fate following Kahui to Waikiki but there had been another witness to these many deaths and restorations of Kahua it was a little green bird that had flitted along unobserved by either Kahua or her companion had followed them from Kahi A Mano flying from tree to tree and making no noise noting with regret that the owl god had abandoned the body of Kahua the little bird which was a cousin to the girl and a supernatural being flew with haste to the parents of Kahua and informed them of all that had happened to their daughter some of her servants had recognized Kahui and has seen her leave the house with him her absence occasion no uneasiness and when the little green bird whose name was Elapayo recounted to the parents the story of Kahua's great suffering and many deaths they found it difficult to believe that Kahui could have been guilty of such fiendish cruelty to the radiant being of this wife they were convinced of Elapayo's sincerity however and with great grief prepared to visit the spot and remove the remains of Kahua for a more fitting interment meantime the spirit of the murdered girl discovered itself to Mahana a young chief of good address who was returning from a visit to Waiani directed by the apparition he proceeded to the Kahua tree and removing the earth and roots discovered the body of Kahua he recognized the face at once not withstanding the blood and earth stains defiguring its faultless regularity he had seen and become enraptured with its beauty at Kahi Mano an on one occasion which lived in his memory like a beautiful dream he had been emboldened by his love to approach sufficiently near to exchange modest words and glances with it gently removing the body from the shallow pit in which it had been buried Mahana found to his great joy that it was still warm wrapping it in his Kihei or shoulder scarf and covering it with male ferns and ginger covering it in his arms to his home at Kamolili as he walked he chanted his love and scarcely felt his burden reaching home he laid the body upon a Kapa Mo and earnestly implored his elder brother to restore it to life he being a Kahuna and having skill in such manners examining the body and felt upon their two spirit sisters for assistance and through their instrumentity the soul of Kaha was once more restored to its beautiful tenement but it was some time before she fully recovered from the effects of her cruel treatment some time in fact before she was able to walk without support in her convalescence with her constant companion and found no greater pleasure than in providing her with the delicacies to which she had been accustomed she was greatly benefited by the waters of the underground cave of Maokai to which she was frequently and secretly taken and under the watchful care of Mahana she was at length restored to health at Kamu Lili Kaha was introduced to a life that was new to her but it was by no means an unpleasant change from the restraints of her listless and more sumptuous past behind the protecting shadows of her Pouloulous where she was jealously watched and where rank closed her doors to congenial companionship she repaired to an and unobserved played with the shifting sands and sang to the waves and at night went with Mahana to the reef with torch and spear in search of fish and squid knowing that her restoration to life could not be long kept from her relatives Mahana told her that his love for her was great and asked her to become his wife I shall never love replied Kaha but from infancy I have been betrothed to Kahuwi my parents the wind and rain of Mahona have promised that I shall be his wife while he lives I can be the wife of no other the argument that Kahuwi had forfeited all right to her by his cruelties failed to shake her resolution and the brother of Mahana advised him to in some manner compass the death of Kahuwi to this end they apprised the parents of Kaha of her restoration to life and conspired with them to keep secret the information for a time this they were the more disposed to do because of their uncertainty concerning what Kahi might again attempt in pursuance of the plan adopted Mahana learned from Kaha all the songs she had chanted to Malfi the wrath of Kahuwi while she was following him through the mountains and then saw the Keelew houses of the king and chiefs in the hope of encountering his rival it was not long before they met under just the circumstances as Mahana desired he discovered Kahuwi engaged with others in the game of Keelew and joined the party as a player the Keelew passed from the hand of Kahuwi to Mahana who on receiving it began to chant the first of Kaha's songs surprised and embarrassed Kahuwi in violation of the rules of the game stopped the player to inquire where he had learned the words of the song he was singing the answer was that he had learned them from Kaha the noted beauty of Manoa who was a friend of his sister and was then visiting them at their home knowing that she had been deserted by the Owl God and feeling assured that Kaha was no longer living Kahuwi denounced as a falsehood the explanation of the player bitter words followed and but for the interference of friends there would have been bloodshed they met the next day at the Keelew house and in the evening following when similar scenes occurred between Mahana and his rival Kahuwi became so enraged at length that he admitted that he had killed the beautiful Kaha of Manoa and declared that Kaha was to be an impostor who had heard of the death of the real Kaha and audiciously assumed her name and rank he then challenged Mahana to produce the woman claiming to be Kaha agreeing to forfeit his life should she prove in flesh and blood to be the one whom he knew to be dead and subjecting Mahana to a like penalty in the event of the claimant more than the person he represented her to be it had been the purpose of Mahana to provoke his rival to a combat with weapons but the challenge of Kahuwi presented itself a more satisfactory means of accomplishing the object of his aim and he promptly accepted it and that both might be more firmly bound to its conditions they were repeated in the presence of the king and principal chiefs of the district the day fix for the strange trial arrived it was to be in the presence of the king and a number of distinguished chiefs and Akaaka the grandfather of Kaha had been selected as one of the judges a moose had been erected near the seashore by the respective friends who arrived the vanquished chief and dry wood for the heating was piled beside them fearing that the spirit of the murdered girl might be able to assume a living appearance and thus impose upon the judges Kahuwi had consulted the priests and sorcerers of his family and was advised by Ka'i to have the large and tender leaves of the ape plant in attendance before the tribunal were to be seated when she enters said that Ka'alu'a watch her closely if she is a flesh her weight will rend the leaves if she is merely a spirit the leaves where she walks and sits will not be torn on her way to Waqiki the place designated for the trial Kaha was accompanied by her parents and also by the two spirited sisters of Mahana who had assumed human forms in order to be better able to advise and assist her if occasion required they informed her of Ka'i's proposed test with ape leaves and advised her to quietly tear and rend them as far as possible for some distance around her in order that the spirit friends beside her would go as much for themselves thereby escape detection if discovered they would be exposed to the risk of being killed by the po-po-yun-han or spirit catchers arriving at Waqiki Kaha and her companions repaired to the large enclosure in which the trial was to take place the king, chiefs, judges and advisors of Ka'alu'a were already there and the judges of spectators were assembled in the grounds adjoining the ape leaves had been spread by the consent of the king as advised by Ka'i'a and Kaha entered with her friends in advance to the place reserved for them not far from her stood Ka'u'i as he bent forward in anxiety and looked into her star-like eyes with a sinking heart of that their reproachful gleam was human and knew that he had lost the wager of his life observing her instructions Kaha took pains to quietly rend and rample the ape leaves under and around her so far as she was concerned the test was satisfactory the evidence of the leaves torn by her feet could not be questioned Ka'i'a was therefore compelled to admit that Ka'a was a being of flesh and bone but in his disappointment he declared that he saw and felt the presence of spirits in some manner connected with her and would detect and punish them irritated at the malice of the Ka'alu'a a Ka'a Ka advised him to look for the faces of the spirits in an open kalabash of water eagerly grasping the question Ka'i'a ordered a vessel of clear water to be brought in and unconsciously bent his eyes over it he only saw the reflection of his own face a Ka'a Ka also caught a glimpse of it annoying it to be the spirit of this year he seized and crushed it between his palms and Ka'a fell dead to the earth hearing a Ka'a Ka then turned and embraced Ka'a acknowledging that she was his granddaughter and that her purity and obedience rendered her worthy of the love of the bold upland of a Ka'a Ka and of her parents the wind and rain of Manoa the curiosity of the king was aroused and he demanded an explanation of the strange proceedings he had just witnessed Ka'a told her simple story and Ka'u'i on being interrogated could deny no part of it as an excuse for his barbarous conduct however he repeated and attributed his jealous rage to the boastful assertions of Kumaana and Kiwawak he healy the slanderers were sent for at once and on being confronted by Ka'a admitted they never had seen her before and that they had boasted of their intimacy with her to make others envious of their good fortune well replied the king after listening to the confessions of the miscreants as your efforts in exciting the envy of others and the terrible suffering to an innocent girl I now promise you something of which no one I think will envy you you will be baked alive with Ka'u'i if you have friends among the gods pray to them that the emus may be hot and your suffering short the emus were ordered to be heeded at once and Ka'u'i and the two calamity the first went to his death bravely chanting a song of defiance as he proceeded to the place of execution but the others vainly struggled and sought to escape the retainers of Ka'u'i were so disgusted with his cruelty to Ka'a that they transferred their allegiance to her and the lands and fishing rights that had been his were given to Mahana at once they would tend to reward the young chief who hazarded his life for you inquired the king pleasantly addressing Ka'a as he rose to depart with my own oh king replied the girl advancing to Mahana and laying her head upon his breast so it shall be indeed return the king I have said it and you are now the wife of Mahana in his gratitude the happy young chief through himself at the feet of the king and said I am your slave great king demand of me some great service or sacrifice that you may know that I am grateful even as you desire return the king I will put you to a task that will tax to the upmost oh king said Mahana resultly the sacrifice I ask resumed the king with a merry twinkle in his eye is that for full three days from this time you embrace not your bride a sacrifice indeed exclaimed Mahana catching the kindly humor of the request is slightly glancing at the downcast face of Ka'a I see for one whose beard is not yet fully grown interrupted the king while I withdraw the request the girl is yours take her with you without conditions hear the story of the trials of Ka'a should end but it does not sometime during the night following the death of Ka'u'i a tattle wave sent by a powerful swept over and destroyed the emus in which the condemned had been roasted and their bones were carried into the sea through the power of their family gods Ka'a Ka'a and Ki Wa Wa'a Ki Haley were transformed into two peaks in the mountains back of Manawa Valley while Ka'u'i who was distinctly related was turned into a shark for two years Ka'a and her husband lived happily together surrounded by many friends enjoying every comfort her grandfather Ka'a Ka'a visited her frequently and knowing of Ka'u'i's transformation and vindictive disposition admonished her to avoid the sea for two years she heeded the warning but one day her husband was absent and her mother was asleep she ventured with one of her women to the beach to witness the sports of the bathers and surf riders as no harm came to the swimmers and the water was inviting she finally borrowed a surf board and throwing herself joyfully into the waves was carried beyond the reef this was the opportunity for which Ka'u'i had long waited for Ka'u'i's transformation and she was inviting her body in twain he swam around with the head and shoulders exposed above the water that the bathers might note his triumph the spirit of Ka'a at once returned to the sleeping mother and informed her of what had befallen her daughter waking and missing Ka'a the mother gave the alarm and with others immediately who had fled from the water on witnessing the fate of Ka'a confirmed the words of the spirit and canoes were launched in pursuit of the shark still exhibiting the bloody trophy beyond the reef swimming with the body of Ka'a just far enough below the surface to be visible to the occupants of the canoes the monster was followed to Wan'e where in shallow waters he was seen to completely devour the remains this rendered her restoration to life impossible and the pursuing party returned sadly to Waikiki with the final death of Ka'a her parents relinquished their human lives and retired to Manoa Valley the father is known as Manoa Wind and his visible form is a small grove of hua trees beneath Ka'a Imano the mother is recognized as Manoa Rain and is often met with in the vicinity of the former house of her beloved and beautiful daughter the grandparents of Ka'a also abandoned their human forms a Ka'a resuming his personation of the mountain spur bearing his name and his August companion upon his brow in the shape of a thicket of the hua bushes and there among the clouds they still look down upon Ka'a Imano and the fair valley of Manoa and smile as the rains of Ku'a hua hain which day by day renew their beauty and keep green with firms and sweet with flowers the earthy home of Ka'a Luwa Puna End of Chapter 32 Recording by Linda Marie Nielsen Vancouver B.C. End of The Legends and Miss of Hawaii by King David Calacua